The 2006 Ray Kingsmith Memorial Award recipient is Bernice Merrick. Bernice involves herself with curling as a competitor, business woman, fan, and volunteer. She has competed in the Ladies Superleague for many years and served as president of that league.
 
As a strong supporter of women’s curling and the Trail Appliances Autumn Gold in particular, Bernice has actively participated on the Autumn Gold Volunteer Committee for several years, and acted as Chairperson for six years. She works tirelessly to ensure that all participants and fans remember the Autumn Gold as the finest Women’s Cashspiel in the
world…a legacy that continues to this day.
 
As proprietor of Curler’s Corner, Bernice is a constant fixture in Calgary’s curling community. For many years she has served as a sponsor, advertiser and donor to the Autumn Gold and numerous other curling events held in Calgary. Her involvement with various curling suppliers from across Canada has benefited several events through increased donations and
sponsorships. Currently her generosity has allowed for the Curler’s Corner Challenge Cup, a Skins format competition for the “A” qualifiers at the Autumn Gold that has become very popular for both competitors and fans since being introduced.
 
In the past, Bernice has volunteered at such major events as the Labatt Brier and Olympic Trials, Scott Tournament of Hearts, and has given her time as a Curl Canada instructor. She has been known to help a recreational curler with a delivery problem, play as a spare when needed, loan a set of jackets to a junior team, and open her home to an out of town team
for Thanksgiving dinner.
 
Bernice Merrick has always demonstrated the volunteerism that is the spirit of the Ray Kingsmith Memorial Award. Congratulations Bernice. We are so pleased to have you once again as Chairperson of the 2006 event.